Interstitial Cystitis

Overview

IC/PBS is a condition of increased bladder sensitivity. Its diagnosis is primarily made on the basis of typical symptoms and the lack of other significant bladder problems such as a bladder infection or cancer. IC/PBS is more common in women, but recent evidence suggests that the prevalence in men is much higher than previously thought.

The symptoms of IC/PBS may include:

Urinary frequency. Small volumes are typically voided. Patients usually awaken at night to urinate.

Urinary urgency. Patients usually need to seek bathroom facilities quickly due to mounting discomfort, not the sensation that they might leak urine.

Pelvic pain or discomfort. This often changes as the bladder fills and empties.

The sensation of needing to urinate almost immediately after urinating.

Symptoms that vary with the menstrual cycle.

IC/PBS can be broken down into two major categories:

"Classic" disease. This form of IC/PBS is associated with visible inflammation of the bladder wall. Lesions called "Hunner's ulcers" or "Hunner's patches" can be seen when the bladder is examined. Only about 5% of all patients have this type of disease.

"Non-classical" disease. Patients with this condition have many symptoms, but examination of the bladder surface shows no obvious inflammation. Most patients with IC/PBS have non-classical disease.